AFL Teams Chopping Block: Geelong set to wield axe after lacklustre loss to Brisbane

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Chopping Block: Geelong set to wield axe after lacklustre loss to Brisbane image

Geelong small forward Luke Dahlhaus will again find himself in the selection gun as the Cats look to find their winning mix heading into finals.

After putting in a season-best 21-possession, one-goal game against the Bulldogs in round 14, Dahlhaus failed to have a kick in the 44-point defeat versus Brisbane last weekend - only managing seven handballs during the contest.

It was the fifth time this season Dahlhaus has had under 10 possessions in a game, including the fourth occasion in the last six matches.

While it will require a positional reshuffle to come in for Dahlhaus, inside midfielder Charlie Constable has been banging down Chris Scott's door for selection, picking up 44 disposals in the VFL.

Other senior Cats who could find their position up for grabs include Esava Ratugolea and Brad Close, with Rhys Stanley, Quinton Narkle, Oscar Brownless and Max Holmes candidates to be elevated from the twos.

Gryan Miers has also got through a couple of reserves games and can be expected to be included in the senior team when deemed fit.

Ladder leading Melbourne will be looking at ways to fit star recruit Ben Brown into the team after the former Kangaroo kicked five goals in the VFL last weekend.

The Demons just managed to get over the line against the Bombers and could look to make their forward group more potent, with pressure forwards Charlie Spargo and Tom Sparrow the players who could make way for Brown.

Veteran Nathan Jones also had the ball on a string in the VFL, and could find himself in the team if the Demons are looking for a stronger midfield presence against GWS' engine room.

The Giants have a dilemma on how to structure their tall forwards with Jesse Hogan now fit to play and Jake Riccardi dominating up forward in the VFL.

Both Kieren Briggs and Jeremy Finlayson could find their positions in the team under question, with the latter struggling to get a kick against Hawthorn, despite dominating the week before with five goals.

Across Sydney, the Swans face a similar issue with young forward Joel Amartey looking tired and form shown in the VFL from Callum Sinclair, Nick Blakey and Hayden McLean.

Brisbane could look to strengthen their midfield with the inclusions of Rhys Mathieson and Tom Berry, with utilities Callum Ah Chee and Jaxon Prior not having much impact against Geelong.

Collingwood must decide whether to persevere with Mason Cox up forward, with the American continuing to struggle at AFL level, or bring in Max Lynch to ruck with Brodie Grundy and play Darcy Cameron mainly as a forward.

Hawthorn might use Saturday night's clash against Port Adelaide as another opportunity to look at Emerson Jeka, who kicked four goals in the VFL last weekend.

With Tim O'Brien looking dangerous up forward, Jacob Koschitzke could be set for a spell in the VFL.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.